Top gift ideas for expecting / new parents

Whether you've been invited to a baby shower, tasked with an expectant colleague's gift, or you're looking for something for a friend, finding a present they'll actually use can be tricky! See below for my top tips on prezzies new parents will use, love, and thank you for.

Basics:

• Meal Delivery / Meal Delivery Vouchers: These can be gifted prior to the birth for the parents to stock up their freezer (check beforehand if they have space) or in the first few weeks following the birth when there's no time to cook. If in doubt, a voucher is always best as they can choose their favourites, and a delivery time that suits.
  

  Note - fruit and veg hampers (or even money at a lovely grocer/supermarket that delivers are always appreciated), we also received a hamper of treats for the inevitable drop-ins (but honestly couldn't stomach any more biscuits after a while). BUT - I would recommend nutritious, freezer meals (though they're not glamorous) as they will feed the parents in those first few months, or can be defrosted by the stay-at-home parent for a midday meal. Extra points if you can call the non-birthing parent beforehand to check they have freezer space / if they have any preferences or intolerances.

  
  

  Recommendations (UK)

  • By Chef Jen

  • By Ruby

  • The Food Doula

  
  

  Recommendations (AU)

  • The Dinner Ladies

  • Delidoor

  • The Whole Bowl

• Pregnancy Massage / Spa vouchers: Whether before or after birth, these treatments are invaluable for a bit of love for the parent-to-be. Recommended UK:

  • Pregnancy Massage at Bamford Spa

  • Pre/postnatal Massage at Masaj

  • Mani/Pedi at Cowshed (particularly appreciated when you can no longer see/touch your toes)

  • Urban voucher

  
  

  Recommended AU:

  • Endota Pregnancy Massage

  •  Treatwell (A generic voucher can also be great and they can choose a massage/facial etc.)

    
    

• Food / Basics Hampers: There are lots of baby hampers available - with a collection of 'starter' items like nappies, bodysuits, etc. If this isn't your vibe, food hampers are also a great option - particularly with treats to have on hand for visitors. Recommended: (UK)

  • Panzers (food)

  • Cutter and Squidge (food/treats)

  • The White Company (clothing/supplies)

  • Bumbles and Boo (clothing/supplies - option to create your own)

  • Selfridges (clothing/supplies)

  • Fortnum and Mason (clothing/supplies/food - option to create your own hamper)
    

  Recommended: (AU)

  • Bundle and Twine (Australiana toys/books)

  • Fauve and Co (clothes/toys)

  • Louie and Lola (natural fabric blankets, clothes, toys)

  • David Jones (Food and wine hampers for the parents)

  
  

• Soft blankets and muslins (large): It's recommended to go with natural fibers (think: cotton, bamboo, cashmere, wool). You can't have enough.
  

  Recommended (UK)

  • Aden and Anais (you can also get these from ocado and boots)

  • Baby Mori

Recommended (AU)

• Sheepskins (these are great playmats, or you can also buy pram and bassinet liners)

• Flat Bear (another wool product - soft, hypoallergenic and natural - did I mention I'm a farmer? :))

• Clothing: If possible, gift clothing beyond newborn/0-3 months. Babies grow quickly! Recommended (UK)

  • Jacadi

  • Organic Zoo

  • Hunter and Rose

  • Baby Mori

  • Petit Bateau

Recommended (AU)

• Pure Baby

• Jacadi 

• Petit Bateau 

• Non-purchase prezzies: Check with the parents first, but another idea is to cook, clean, drop around food, babysit, or take siblings out for a few hours - this can be invaluable in those first few weeks!

Basics +

It may be while doing some gentle probing of the parent-to-be, but ask if they already have any of the following:

• Rockit: This device attaches to the pram/crib for a rocking motion. As a rule, I try to avoid gadget overload, but was gifted this and have found it surprisingly effective!

• Shearling underlay for pram / baby carrier/cot: These are a lovely gift - hypoallergenic, temperature regulating etc Recommended:

  • BaaBaby

  • Binibamba

• Baby nest: Somewhere to put the baby and give parents a break! Recommended: Sleepyhead Baby Nest, Coccoon-a-baby

Bougie Baby

• Sling baby carrier: There is a vast range of baby carriers available, but some of the best I've seen are ergobaby, BabyBjorn (less expensive) and artipoppe (most expensive). I've found some newborns don't like the artipoppe (as it splays their hips/legs quite wide) but others don't seem to mind it.